EXPANDING Yorkshire wine merchant Andrew Firth is celebrating a move to new and larger premises near Northallerton.

Mr Firth, who founded Firth & Co six years ago, has moved from Bedale to bespoke offices and warehouse at Lowfield Farm, Ainderby Steeple.

The former managing director of Yorkshire wine merchants Playford Ros, has also appointed ex-Ampleforth College pupil Archie Darbishire as his sales assistant to cope with growing demand for his wines.

Mr Firth said: "Apart from the self-contained office space, we have a reception area, where we can hold wine tastings, and a spacious purpose-built warehouse to store our wines.

"We have established a strong reputation for being a niche supplier of excellent European wines at competitive prices. We pride ourselves on a swift and personal service and are proud of the fact that we supply some of the very best hotels and restaurants in Yorkshire and the North East."

Clients include Star Inn The City in York, owned and run by Michelin-starred chef and long-term customer Andrew Pern; the Pipe and Glass near Beverley, also Michelin-starred; the Blue Lion in East Witton; the Pheasant Inn, near Helmsley; The Bay Horse, Hurworth; The Golden Lion, Osmotherley; and the White Horse and Griffin in Whitby.

He also supplies private customers across Yorkshire and the North East. "Our new premises will enable us to provide an ever better service, with a wider selection of quality wines, predominantly from Europe, but also from the new world, too," said Mr Firth.

Long time client Andrew Pern said: "Andrew’s personal service is unrivalled, while his knowledge and choice of wines from across the world is exemplary. I think it is also important to choose local Yorkshire suppliers whenever possible, so Firth & Co fit the bill perfectly."